Arthritis in dogs often shows up gradually, which means the early signs are easy to write off as your dog just “slowing down.”
Watch for hesitation before jumping onto furniture or into the car, stiffness that improves after a few minutes of movement, and a reluctance to go up or down stairs. Some dogs become less playful or more irritable when touched in certain spots, which is easy to mistake for a behavior change rather than a physical one.
None of this is a substitute for a proper diagnosis. If you notice any of these signs, the right next step is a vet visit, not a guess — early management makes a real difference in a dog’s comfort and mobility over time.